In a pickle: How to solve common kitchen problems

It happens to the best of us — even those pros in the kitchen. We’re talking about running into problems while cooking, and we are here to show you how to solve them!

When was the last time you were cooking and ran into some sort of error that nearly ruined the meal? If you’re like me, it probably wasn’t all that long ago.

Luckily, there are ways to solve even the most difficult of problems without having to throw out the meal. Bookmark or print this page — trust us, you’ll be thankful you did next time you run into a problem in the kitchen!

Cooking problem #1

The meal is overcooked

Overcooking a meal — be it a roast or a pasta dish — can leave it tasting dry and flavorless. Next time you find yourself in this situation, simply add a little water or chicken broth and let it sit for 10 minutes. The water gives it back its moisture and the chicken broth adds a little zing. If you opt to add water, prepare to add a little extra seasoning to make up for the dull, dry taste.

Tip: Always taste your meal before seasoning it to see exactly what it needs.

Cooking problem #2

The meal is too salty

OK, so you got a little carried away with the salt. Fortunately, it’s not as big of a deal as one may think. Instead of trying to drown the meal with other seasonings, simply add some fresh-squeezed lemon juice. It will take the salty flavor right away.

Cooking problem #3

The meal is burnt

Burnt meals can be hard to salvage, but not impossible. If it’s a meat that burned, trim off the burnt edges and serve the middle. If it’s vegetables or stews, try placing a damp towel over the pan and let it sit for 15 minutes. Sounds strange — but it actually helps take away that burnt flavor. If it’s a cake, trim off the burnt edges and cover with frosting or crumble the rest of it and make a trifle.

Cooking problem #4

Pots, pans and tools seem to have disappeared

Why is it that whenever we need to find something, we never can? Our cooking tools drawer is one giant mess and all the pots and pans seem to have made their way to the backs of the cupboards, making them impossible to reach. This definitely does not make the cooking process any easier. For tools, hang them near the stove so you can easily access them. For pots and pans, organize them on an old baking sheet and place the baking sheet back in the cupboard, allowing it room to rotate when you need something from the back.

Cooking problem #5

The veggies are mushy

Mushy vegetables are the cause of either overcooking or using too much water or oil in the pan. Overcooking them also robs them of some of their vital nutrients, which is even worse than eating them soggy! Next time yours are mushy, dump them in ice water ASAP. This stops them from cooking further and even firms them up a bit.